At a Laundromat in Brazil: Wash, Dry, and Pay in Portuguese — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Find out how the machines work
Lavanderia is a common word for a laundry service or laundromat. A washing machine is a máquina de lavar; a dryer is a secadora. Some places sell detergent, while others expect you to bring it, so check before starting a cycle.
Ask how to pay and whether a machine is available. In Brazil, a laundromat may use an app, a card, or payment at the counter; the setup varies by location.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Como uso esta máquina? | How do I use this machine? |
| O sabão está incluído? | Is detergent included? |
| Posso pagar no balcão? | Can I pay at the counter? |
Ask about cycle time and collection
A lavagem is a wash cycle, and secagem is drying. Use quanto tempo to ask how long a cycle takes. If you plan to leave, check whether the place allows it and when your clothes will be ready.
For clothing care, roupas delicadas means delicate clothes and água fria means cold water. Read the machine instructions and follow the care label, especially for unfamiliar fabrics.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Quanto tempo dura a lavagem? | How long does the wash cycle take? |
| A secadora está livre? | Is the dryer available? |
| Que horas posso buscar as roupas? | What time can I pick up the clothes? |
Remember: Learn the machine names—máquina de lavar and secadora—then ask about detergent, payment, cycle length, and pickup before you begin.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
How do I use this machine?
Show a Portuguese answer
Como uso esta máquina?
Is detergent included?
Show a Portuguese answer
O sabão está incluído?
Can I pay at the counter?
Show a Portuguese answer
Posso pagar no balcão?
How long does the wash cycle take?
Show a Portuguese answer
Quanto tempo dura a lavagem?
Is the dryer available?
Show a Portuguese answer
A secadora está livre?
What time can I pick up the clothes?
Show a Portuguese answer
Que horas posso buscar as roupas?
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
Learn the machine names—máquina de lavar and secadora—then ask about detergent, payment, cycle length, and pickup before you begin.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our At a Laundromat in Brazil: Wash, Dry, and Pay in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
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